The amount given by Moyes, who wrote Me Before You and contributed to the scheme with the short story Paris For One in 2015, has not been announced, but the charity said it needed £120,000 a year for three years in order for it to continue.

Moyes agreed to step in days after the agency announced that 2018 would be Quick Reads’ final year because it lacked financial support. It was previously funded by Arts Council England and the chocolate brand Mars Galaxy.

Moyes said: "Like so many, I was shocked that a scheme helping many people to read was going to close, especially at a time when libraries struggle for funding.

"As an author who has not just written a Quick Read, but also seen up close the real impact these books can have, I decided it was too important to be allowed to end. I am lucky enough to be in a position to help, and proud to provide the support it needs for the next three years.

"Quick Reads opens up the benefits of reading to people who have either never found or have lost a love of books. It’s never been more important."

Sue Wilkinson, chief executive of the agency, said: "It was with a heavy heart that we announced the end of Quick Reads last month, after spending 18 months looking for continued support for the initiative.

"We couldn’t be more thankful to Jojo for recognising the importance of the scheme and so generously providing the funding to enable it to continue."

Baroness Gail Rebuck, who founded Quick Reads in 2006, said: "Jojo Moyes’ astonishingly generous gift to the agency to fund a further three years is the most welcome news."